Method and apparatus for virtual reality content stitching control with network based media processing

Abstract

A method, apparatus and computer program product provide a signaling mechanism that could be utilized in conjunction with a media interface and exchange mechanism in a media processing pipeline defined in Moving Picture Experts Group-I (MPEG-I) Network-based media processing (NBMP). In particular, a method, apparatus and computer program product provide a NBMP media interface mechanism that enables virtual reality (VR) stitching within an NBMP-enabled system independent of stitching algorithm used.

That which is claimed: 
     
       1. A method comprising:
 capturing media content, wherein the media content comprises one or more videos; and 
 transferring the media content in accordance with a network-based media processing interface mechanism, wherein the network-based media processing interface mechanism defines a set of stitching input parameters to be transferred along with the media content, the set of stitching input parameters comprising at least one of seam position selection criteria or convergence point selection criteria. 
 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the set of stitching input parameters further comprises a weighting, and wherein the network-based media processing interface mechanism defines a set of ingestion content properties to be transferred along with the media content. 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the set of ingestion content properties comprises contributing source content information. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the seam position selection criteria comprises a default seam position, a seam thickness, and a seam extent of freedom. 
     
     
       5. An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory comprising computer program code for one or more programs, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:
 capture media content, wherein the media content comprises one or more videos; and 
 transfer the media content in accordance with a network-based media processing interface mechanism, wherein the network-based media processing interface mechanism defines a set of stitching input parameters to be transferred along with the media content, the set of stitching input parameters comprising at least one of seam position selection criteria or convergence point selection criteria. 
 
     
     
       6. The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the set of stitching input parameters comprises further comprises a weighting, and wherein the network-based media processing interface mechanism defines a set of ingestion content properties to be transferred along with the media content. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the set of ingestion content properties comprises contributing source content information. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the seam position selection criteria comprises a default seam position, a seam thickness, and a seam extent of freedom. 
     
     
       9. A method comprising:
 receiving media content, wherein the media content comprises one or more videos, wherein the media content is transferred in accordance with a network-based media processing interface mechanism, wherein the network-based media processing interface mechanism defines a set of stitching input parameters to be transferred along with the media content, the set of stitching input parameters comprising at least one of seam position selection criteria or convergence point selection criteria; and 
 stitching the one or more videos into one or more stitched videos. 
 
     
     
       10. The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the set of stitching input parameters further comprises a weighting, and wherein the network-based media processing interface mechanism defines a set of ingestion content properties to be transferred along with the media content. 
     
     
       11. The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the set of ingestion content properties comprises contributing source content information. 
     
     
       12. The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the seam position selection criteria comprises a default seam position, a seam thickness, and a seam extent of freedom. 
     
     
       13. An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory comprising computer program code for one or more programs, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:
 receive media content, wherein the media content comprises one or more videos, wherein the media content is transferred in accordance with a network-based media processing interface mechanism, and wherein the network-based media processing interface mechanism defines a set of stitching input parameters to be transferred along with the media content, the set of stitching input parameters comprising at least one of seam position selection criteria or convergence point selection criteria; and 
 stitch the one or more videos into one or more stitched videos. 
 
     
     
       14. The apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the set of stitching input parameters further comprises a weighting, and wherein the network-based media processing interface mechanism defines a set of ingestion content properties to be transferred along with the media content. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the set of ingestion content properties comprises contributing source content information. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the seam position selection criteria comprises a default seam position, a seam thickness, and a seam extent of freedom.